Tori’s mental health has only got better since Arlo came into her life, and she’s helped him overcome some of his own fears in return

Arlo came into my life in October 2019. He's the best little pooch. Before Arlo, I worked in a job that destroyed my mental health, and I had panic attacks most days. When I decided to quit to focus on myself, I thought ‘now would be a good time to get a furry friend'. It was the best decision!

Arlo has changed my life. He's helped my anxiety levels massively and he gives me purpose. He’s my best friend, my companion, my family and I love him dearly. If I'm sad, he's there, and if I'm happy, he's there. He puts the biggest smile on my face and his tail never stops wagging. He's definitely my soul mate.

If I'm sad, he's there, and If I'm happy, he's there

I like to think I've helped him to overcome some worries as well. As a young pup he was attacked by another dog which left him very scared and nervous around both dogs and humans. It's been a long process, but he's made so much progress and I'm so proud of him. He's so kind, even after what happened. I sometimes believe that dogs (and animals in general) are too good for this world. But we have each other, and for that I will forever be grateful.

Arlo’s favourite thing in this world is balls. He will do just about anything for a ball. He loves most toys, in fact. He's a very playful soul and often drops toys in your lap to let you know it's playtime. But nothing beats snuggle time. At any time of the day, Arlo is up for a good cuddle. He lights up the life of anyone who’s lucky enough to know him.

Vanessa loves to explore, and with Pip by her side, every day is an adventure

We have sheep, so we decided to get a Border Collie to help us with rounding them up. Pip is brilliant at that and really loves her work.

I do a lot of hiking and have always wanted to walk Hadrian's Wall, which stretches across England. Last September, Pip and I booked our ferry from Ireland and we stayed in hikers' hotels all along the trail. Pip was welcome everywhere – in all the hotels, pubs, and even on the ramblers' bus which would take us to the nearest town each afternoon for supplies. At the end of our trip, we got to Newcastle and took the train back to Carlisle to get the car. All along the trail, people asked me ‘How are you doing this on your own?’, and I told them that I’m never on my own when I have Pip by my side.

I’m never on my own when I have Pip

Thanks to my furry companion, I enjoyed my holiday all the more, and it just wouldn’t have been the same without her.

Kirsty is incredibly grateful for Bruno’s infectious love for life

Bruno came to us at just four months old. He is so lively and happy, and nothing ever brings him down. We could never have anticipated how greathe would be for us, or how much he would help our mental health. It’s like he knows when we’re having a bad day and does everything he can to make us feel better.

We honestly can’t imagine life without him

Even though he is a big dog now, he still believes he can sit on our laps. We honestly can’t imagine life without him and it’s even more difficult to remember what it what like before him.

Bruno wants to play with every other dog he sees. His favourite places to walk are along the river or down the beach, though he isn’t a big fan of the sea. We share our love for him on his Instagram page. We just hope that if people are having a bad day, they stumble across his cute pictures and find a reason to smile again.

After joining Julie’s family during the pandemic, Amber has quickly adapted to their active lifestyle, offering endless cuddles and support

Amber joined our family in May 2020, just after the first Covid-19 lockdown. She made our Sprocker very happy as we had lost her previous companion in February. She had been a farm dog with two previous owners and she had never had a collar or been walked on a lead, so she was a little barrel on legs!

She has been a godsend to our family

She soon adapted to our active lifestyle, enjoying Canicross, hiking, canoeing and camping. Although she is not a trained therapy dog, she has been a godsend to our family – always there for a cuddle, looking out for us and keeping us happy all the time.

Her favourite things are sleeping in the full washing basket and lying upside down for belly rubs. She also forms the Canicross dream team with my youngest son and they have a magical bond.

Harley has helped Rachel enormously with her mental health struggles, but he has also caused plenty of mischief with his escape tactics

Harley is a Giant Schnauzer crossed with a German Shorthaired Pointer. My husband got him when we found out I was pregnant with my third child, as I already had a six-month-old baby and I was suffering from both pre-natal and post-natal depression. Harley was my distraction and my positive ten minutes of training a day.

Our walks always get me out of the house. And on the days I don’t want to go out, he’s with me in the house with the babies! He keeps me grounded and gives me a break when I take him walking. We’ve even started mountain climbing as a family with Harley and the children.

He can flip his cage and squeeze out of the bottom!

He’s also a Houdini! I’ve never known a dog like him. I padlock his cage in two places overnight because he’s obsessed with licking the butter dish, and he can flip his cage and squeeze out of the bottom!

He’s obsessed with food, especially burgers and sausages, and he’s amazing with the children. My one-year-old will pass him DVDs off our stand one by one, and he brings them to me in his mouth and then goes back for more to play with her! He’s changed our lives so much.

Tracey loves her dog Chewy for all his adorable – and hilarious – quirks

Chewy came into my life a year ago, back when I really didn’t think I had the room for another pet. At the time, we already had two elderly dogs who have sadly now departed, and if it wasn’t for Chewy, I don’t know how I would have coped.

He is adorable and such a character

I fell in love with Chewy as soon as I saw him. He is adorable and such a character that it didn’t take long before my partner was smitten too. Chewy is very stubborn (apparently this is a common trait amongst bulldogs), and he sulks if you ask him to do something he doesn’t want to do, like go out for a walk when it’s raining. He has a thing about cardboard boxes and loves to tear them to shreds. He is very greedy and will go to any lengths to claim food, even if it’s not something he actually likes!

Chewy is big and solid but still believes he is a lap dog, so loves to curl up on my knee in the evening. He really is a wonderful addition to our family, and I couldn’t have asked for a better lockdown buddy.